Manchester United 'Hold Talks' With Athletic Bilbao For £29.6M Defender

Manchester United are to 'hold talks' with Athletic Bilbao over the £29.6m transfer of French defender Aymeric Laporte.

According to Fichajes.net (in Spanish), Manchester United have turned their attentions to Laporte after the player recently signed with super agent Jorge Mendes, whose other clients include David De Gea and Angel Di Maria. United hope that previous dealings with Mendes can help facilitate a deal.

United had previously tageted Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) and Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia), but they see Laporte as the biggest talent of the lot. At 20-years-old, the Frenchman may not have the experience that the others have, but he is rated as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe.

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Laporte's £29.6m fee is due to a release clause in his contract. If met, United will be free to discuss personal terms with the player and ultimately convince him to make the move to Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal is desperate to add some real quality to his back line and Laporte would be an exceptional signing for United.